Latos vs. Volquez

Mat Latos will pitch tonight against trade counterpart Edinson Volquez when Cincinnati Reds will play game two against San Diego Padres. Many remember the trade in which Mat Latos came over to the Reds for Edinson Volquez, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger. At the time many fans wondered if the Reds over paid for the young pitcher, but now those same people are very happy the deal was done. Mat Latos has become a solid number 1 / 2 pitcher in the Reds rotation.

In his career Mat Latos has 12 wins and 13 losses in 32 starts at PetCo Park. I am hoping he gets win number 13 tonight. If the Reds can get another solid 0 to 1 run 7 innings out of their rotation today it would really help the team get a much-needed win against the Padres. In 54 starts (342 Innings) for the Reds he has 24 wins and 7 losses with a 3.45 ERA with Cincinnati. He has 51 wins with 36 losses in his career. (126 GS, 771 IP)

I see a lack of confidence in some of the players right now that needs to be crushed fast by putting some runs up on the score board. Mat Latos is a beast on the mound but he is human just like the rest of us, if he is losing he gets frustrated and sometimes over throws his pitches. He needs to stay relaxed out there and the best way to do that is to give him a 4 to 6 run cushion.

For those that want to know, Edinson Volquez has 1 win 0 losses in 2 starts against his former team, Cincinnati Reds. 12 innings with 6 walks and 15 strike outs giving up 6 earned runs, 2 of them home runs. I am hoping the wild man plays tonight and the Reds pick up tons of walks against him. A 5 walk first inning would be nice for the Reds.